I hate the term "neurotypical "

I've always had a lesion in my brain and I've had epilepsy for as long as I can remember, so I was pretty neuro atypical long before I got this autism diagnosis as an adult just one or two years ago. I don't think you can say that someone you never met and know nothing about is "neurotypical" It's just a complete assumption and it's rude. 

Parents
  • OK, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. I think it is a rude comment, others don't. 

    In reply to Tom's comment that anyone who is called "neurotypical" is not autistic, please read my first comment again. An epileptic brain with a lesion cannot be said to be typical. 

  • I don’t think anyone has to agree to disagree. What’s wrong with just having different views and each person using the words that make the most sense to them? Tom didn’t say nt refers to anyone who isn’t autistic, he said autistic or in any other way neurodiverse. It’s  just a term that has come into popular use to replace the term normal as anyone who was not normal or typical was thought of as abnormal, which some people took offence to. It wouldn’t bother me to be called abnormal but many people objected to it and so far, neurotypical is the best they have come up with so far. I prefer weirdo, but a lot of people don’t like that term either. I also like the term retard but a lot of people don’t like that either. So I guess we all have our preferences. 

  • I agree, it is a fine line and it’s not easy to spot the difference but the subtle difference has huge implications. I’m trying to think of an example to illustrate it so it’s easier to spot, but othing’s coming to mind just yet, but I’m sure it will, because the difference is obvious, when you can see it, so it can be illustrated, I just can’t think of a clearer way to illustrate it at the minute. I’ll think of something related to everyday life that would illustrate this difference but in a way that’s more easily understandable, more tangible ~ if that’s the right word Shrug tone1‍♀️

  • Even the web can't decide. Neurotypical is used largely to define someone who isn't autistic (which wouldn't include epileptics) BUT Neurodiverse is used to describe anyone whose neurocognitive functioning diverges from the norm (which would include epileptics). I'm tired and this discussion is making my brain hurt! can we stop please?

  • No.  But read my other comments.  Epileptics can be either neurotypical or neurodiverse.  Epileptic seizures do not mean that the person who has them is neurodiverse. Or, perhaps I should say, autistic.  Perhaps the whole argument is semantic.  People are autistic, or they're not autistic.  If they're not autistic, then they're neurotypical.

    Check out the literal meaning of neurotypical.

  • would you class seizures and aura's etc to be typical phenomena?

Reply Children
  • Even the web can't decide. Neurotypical is used largely to define someone who isn't autistic (which wouldn't include epileptics) BUT Neurodiverse is used to describe anyone whose neurocognitive functioning diverges from the norm (which would include epileptics). I'm tired and this discussion is making my brain hurt! can we stop please?

  • No.  But read my other comments.  Epileptics can be either neurotypical or neurodiverse.  Epileptic seizures do not mean that the person who has them is neurodiverse. Or, perhaps I should say, autistic.  Perhaps the whole argument is semantic.  People are autistic, or they're not autistic.  If they're not autistic, then they're neurotypical.

    Check out the literal meaning of neurotypical.